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Top school official resigns amid turn to new teaching standard

Teachers receive iPads as part of a new technology program at Los Angeles Unified School District. Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Jaime Aquino (not pictured), who helped lead the charge on making classroom use of iPads a cornerstone of Common Core adoption, but that led to some friction at the district. On Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, Aquino notified the district that he plans to resign from his post at the end of the year.

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Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Jaime Aquino has notified the Los Angeles Unified School District that he plans to resign from his post at the end of the year, a district spokesman said.

The departure comes as a surprise to many as the district prepares to enter the first year of new learning standards called Common Core — an initiative Aquino is spearheading.

The Common Core standards, championed by the U.S. Department of Education, emphasize teaching critical thinking skills over rote memorization.

Aquino has encountered some friction since he joined L.A. Unified in 2011. Much of that has come from his role in making classroom use of iPads a cornerstone of Common Core adoption.

Earlier this week, the school board voted to delay Aquino's budget to implement the Common Core standards. Some members cited concerns over the number of teacher coaching positions — 122 — the district had requested to train teachers in the new standards.

Aquino assumed his current position in July, 2011. He oversees the local district superintendents, curriculum and instruction, special education, adult education, mental health and social services and parent and community engagement.

Correction: This article previously stated that Jaime Aquino joined LAUSD in 2008.